Ibuki

The description in this book is really excellent, it’s great to be able to read books about a completely different culture, it’s very refreshing. 
The plot is detailed and engaging, the characters are mostly likeable, and little details like the glossary at the end really tie everything together, showing the significance of the characters names in Japanese. 
Relatively short book, but enjoyable. There are a few scenes that are a lot less PG than others, so wouldn’t recommend for younger readers/people that read in public!

Novella warning! Also no chapters, but I didn't notice it. Normally I find books with no chapters feel slower paced, which I think is typically on purpose, but this was fast paced and tightly plotted. There is a suspense that the plot revolves around and the tight plotting and quick pace really made the book feel claustrophobic in the way a good suspense novel should. It is still a romance, though, so don't worry it still has an HEA

Book received from Netgalley for an honest review

I chose to read this book because I liked the cover and even though the blurb seemed okay I thought it would be nice to read something a little out of my current comfort zone. It was a lucky choice I really enjoyed it. 

In the Inuru community Chiasa is a part of  the Ibuki shrine and is able to heal by using her breath. One day Namika, a water-gifted priestess, comes to the Ibuki shrine to tell of a dark secret she has discovered about their emperor. Chiasa is the only one there and she is very reluctant to believe it.

I can’t say much more about the story line without spoiler alerts because it was a short read but it was a well-rounded one. There’s the tension of the dark secret and the danger it puts them in. I found both Chiasa and Namika to be engaging characters and there are some beautifully erotic scenes as well as moments of angst. Because this book has been tagged in the fantasy genre I had the added fear of not knowing how it was going to end.